Today I played with more amethyst

Here are some of the items of Amethyst and Swarovski crystal  jewellery I made this morning - I made some earrings similar to the ones shown on here which in time will end up in my Etsy shop

all of these items are original designs by Angela Smith Jewellery

What is the birthstone for February?

In 1912 The American National Association of Jewellers met in Kansas and drew up a list.
This list was compiled of the stones that the jewellers most wanted to sell at that time, but even so, today the list is still accepted throughout the world.
According to this list the birthstone for February is Amethyst which represents wisdom, spirituality, sobriety and security. It is one of my favourite colours - a violet form of quartz and it is said to protect the wearer from seduction and drunkenness.
I do from time to time have amethyst beads in my collection and this is one of my most recent amethyst designs - I have added a selection of Swarovski crystal beads with these faceted amethyst beads to make this multi- stranded necklace and matching pairs of earrings.

This set will be available from Gallery at 12 shortly

This is a unique design made by Angela Smith  for February 2012

New items for Gallery at 12

Yesterday I had the privilege of manning Gallery at 12 in Eccleshall for the day, which gave me time to sort out my jewellery and introduce some new items, these included the pink and black Shamballa bead necklace and earrings from a previous post and a couple of my prom tiaras also mentioned in an earlier post. It also included the items below-

Shamballa bead and Swarovski crystal earrings

Shamballa bead and Swarovski crystal necklace

Shamballa bead and Swarovski crystal necklace

Shamballa bead and Swarovski crystal earrings

Hematite and turquoise glass bead necklace

Obsidian and Swarovski crystal necklace

Obsidian and Swarovski crystal bracelet

Grey freshwater pearl  and Swarovski crystal necklace

Freshwater pearl and swarovski crystal  necklace

Freshwater pearl and Swarovski crystal hair comb

hand crocheted wire and glass bead brooch with a Swarovski crystal pearl centre cluster

All items of jewellery included in this post designed and made by Angela Smith - Staffordshire jewellery designer

Too early for Valentines?

Valentines day is not that far away now - well three and a half weeks!!! so I have decided that this year I would make some cards.

First of all I made the heart -
What do you think? -

If you would like to order one I would be happy to send one to your Valentine to help maintain the anonymity - just let me know!

These cards are original designs by Angela Smith - Staffordshire Jewellery designer

It is never to late to learn something new

So what did you get up to this morning?
I learnt how to make simple glass beads!
I find it very difficult to understand why, after making beaded jewellery for eighteen years I have never attempted to learn how to make glass beads!
When I talk to people about my jewellery, I often say something along the lines of - 'I buy all the beads in and then I make up the jewellery'- and if I am asked why I don't make my own beads my answer is' because I won't be able to ever make beads of the quality of Venetian Glass and Swarovski crystal so why bother!' When really I have been thinking I don't want to make a fool of myself and be disappointed with the end result.
So when Bob Thacker - a friend, glass artist and fellow member of the Staffordshire Artists Co-operative said to me, just before Christmas,
'You really should have a go at making your own beads - I will give you a morning session in the New Year' I couldn't get out of it and deep down I knew he was right.
Today was the day and here is the very first bead I made ...

...then I went on to make these

Ok they aren't quite even and an unimaginative colour but why waste good glass to start off with, I will make something for myself with these and wear it with a huge amount of pride! It was great fun, and I know that with some practice I could do better,
Oh dear! I feel that this could go much further in time- I just need to buy a burner, glass and other items first!

Shamballa Beads

Shamballa beads are more commonly used with macrame bracelets, but as beautiful as knotted thread work can look these beads are too stunning, in my opinion to be partially hidden so I have unashamedly chosen to show them off!
This is part of a necklace made with Shamballa beads and Swarovski crystals,

A also made a pair of earrings to match.

This set is one of 5 new Shamballa necklace earring sets I will be taking to the Prom Dress fashion show, I am attending this coming Saturday.

These items are original designs by Angela Smith - Staffordshire Jewellery Designer

One of my most popular designs using January's birthstone - garnet

It is considered that the origins of birthstones - linked to the month of wearers birth, were connected to the breastplate of Aaron (Ex28 v16-20) each stone representing one the twelve tribes of Israel. Our modern day list of birthstones was compiled by 'the American National Association of Jewelers' in 1912  - it consists of the stones they most wanted to sell!!!. According to the modern list of birthstones January's birthstone is
garnet which represents strength, prosperity & health.

Swarovski offer crystals in a range of colours including garnet and this is one of my favourite designs made using garnet coloured Swarovski crystals. It has been such a popular design, I have continued making similar necklaces and earrings to these since making this set several years ago!

These items are original designs by Angela Smith - Staffordshire Jewellery Designer

Yet another tiara

May be more suited for weddings but this is another of the tiaras I made for the pre prom event on the 14th January.
This one is made with Swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls

This is an original design by Angela Smith - Staffordshire Jewellery designer

Vintage prom

Following on from yesterdays prom post, today I have selected two more of my tiaras to show, again designed specifically for the pre prom event.
Vintage has been in fashion for quite a while now and although I never set out to make vintage jewellery, quite a few of my pieces have a vintage feel to them and these two designs illustrate that, perhaps one more so than the other.

Swarovski crystals with freshwater pearls

Swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls with a large diamante star

These items are original designs by Angela Smith - Staffordshire Jewellery designer

Prom ideas

I hope you all enjoyed your Christmas and New Year festivities - I had a lovely relaxing break, but my head was fit to burst with all the new designs building up, I was so pleased yesterday to finally set too on some serious making again!
I have a pre prom event to attend a week on Saturday, so I have started making some new items for it.
Over the next few days I will share some of my new items on here.
The great thing about proms is of course colour, I can make tiaras which have colour in!!!! so I made this -

daughter said 'Nice' when she saw it so I guess it is ok.

I could make this in any colour combination, I chose these bold colours to make a statement.

I also made this much simpler piece based on the same design idea